Single In CLE

Celebrate Singledom in CLE

That's our sentiments on the subject here in Cleveland,
where more than one in three adults are living the single life.

According to Dr. Joseph Rock, Psy.D., a clinical
psychologist at the Cleveland
Clinic Willoughby Hills Behavioral Health Center, enjoying being single is
all about shifting your focus.

"If you look at being single as though ‘I don't have someone
special to do something with,' you start focusing on ‘what I don't have,'" he
says. "It's a great idea to look at all the things you've got going for
yourself. Think about it: ‘I'm free to go out and do things with my friends,
I'm free to engage in activities that I love and I can spend my money the way I
want.'"

But, as big holidays associated with coupledom near, the
unattached life starts feeling less celebratory and more discouraging.

"When you look at certain holidays like that, you're picking
an arbitrary date or season that society says you should feel a certain way,"
he says. "Don't let your expectations be dictated by other people."

Here in Cleveland we not only embrace singledom - we
celebrate it. And, thanks to some help from Dr. Rock, we've come up with some
great ways to write your very own "Single in CLE" story.

Spend Time With
Friends

"Engage in activities that you
really enjoy," Rock says. "Spend time with friends."

Not much compares to that
laugh-until-you-cry time spent with your best buds. So, why not take some time
to schedule a trip to CLE?

Perhaps you and the girls need to
do some in-depth "research" into Cleveland's
wine country. Or, maybe make it a bro-mantic night out on a beer tour
through Cleveland's hottest ‘hoods. And, seriously, what good compadre is going
to turn down a solid CLE
Sunday Funday?

"One of the advantages of not being
in a committed relationship is that you're free to do what you like to do,"
says Rock.

So, go ahead and cross these bad
boys off your bucket list today -- what are you waiting for?

"Celebrate where you are," Rock
says. "Eat what you want and spend money the way you want."

That being said, we think it's time
you go ahead and treat yourself to something indulgent and delicious while in
Cleveland -- you deserve it, dear Single Friend. What would a trip to Cleveland
be without a little chocolate,
cake and cookies with your travels?
And, remember, ice
cream sundaes don't complain about your friends.

You officially have our permission
to reflect on the good things in your life while quietly perusing the city's
public art scene.

Find Other Singles

"Cleveland has a very vibrant singles
scenes in a lot of different areas and neighborhoods," Rock says.

Many of these folks also hang in
eclectic, fun neighborhoods like Little
Italy and Coventry,
which boast great music, art and, of course, food.

Others make their way to the near
West Side where on any given night you'll be treated to an indie lifestyle
that's simply infectious. Whether you're exploring the rich craft beer scene along
West 25th Street in Ohio
City, taking in a monthly art walk in Tremont
or dining in the Detroit-Shoreway
Neighborhood, singles are aplenty in these trendy Cleveland neighborhoods.

If you're looking for that
traditional nightclub experience, head to West 6th Street in the Warehouse
District in downtown
Cleveland on weekend nights. There, you'll find tons of single folks doing
what we Clevelanders do best -- party-hardy rock and roll. Places like the Velvet Dog even embrace the single
life by hosting parties like their annual Anti-Valentine's Day bash.

"Those feelings of sadness or
anxiousness that come up around these holidays tend to be disorders of
passivity. It's as though you're saying, ‘I'm waiting for good things to happen
to me. I don't have the power to do that for myself,'" Rock says.

So, take the leap, head to a new
place and swap a number or two. Because, after all, single life is all about
what you make of it.

How else can visitors celebrate the single life right here
in CLE? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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